Duckenfield is named head girls’ coach at Strath Haven

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/11/09

Jen Duckenfield, a Philly scholastic, youth and club coach for many years, was named head girls’ lacrosse coach at Strath Haven Monday night.

Duckenfield served as an assistant the past three years under Margie Garrity at Strath Haven, which reached the first Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association finals in 2009 and posted a 21-5 record. Duckenfield also served as a volunteer assistant for two years.

Duckenfield, who is a coach with the Ultimate Goal Lacrosse Club, also trains youth and high school players in a private business. She also has served as volunteer coach for the LEAPS program, a non-profit organization designed to build programs in the inner-city.

Duckenfield, an Interboro graduate, also has coached with Haven Lacrosse youth program for six years. She previously was the first head coach at Cardinal O’Hara in the 1990s.

Duckenfield said her coaching philosophy is to promote team play, sound fundamentals and a new diversified attack.

“We have strong leadership returning from seniors Ana White, Caroline Murphy and Clare Sherry, along with a rising junior class that has been starting on varsity since freshman year,” Duckenfield said. “We expect to be right back in the hunt for the Central League title.”

Duckenfield added that she has enjoyed watching her players mature since their days as youth players in Haven Lacrosse.

“I have watched them all grow up before my eyes and I look forward taking on the challenge,” she said. “I have a tremendous respect for the Central League coaches and I have learned a lot from coaching against them.”

Garrity resigned after a nine-year stint as head coach to spend more time with her family.